Birding for Big Day with Feminist Bird Club LA & Oxnard Birders Club

October 11 is October Big Day, a chance for us globally to get involved in community science! Last October, nearly three quarters of a million people participated. Bird joy and contributing helpful data--how much better and nerdier can it get!?

We hope you'll join FBC LA and Oxnard Birders Club for this October Big Day at the Ventura Settling Ponds, an awesome location where we're sure to see a ton of species, including some we don't see as often in LA! As we wind down, if folks are interested, we may also pop over to the Santa Clara River Estuary to pick up a few more species.

This is a beginner-friendly event and all are welcome, especially LGBTQ and BIPOC-identifying folks, people with disabilities, and women. Bring binoculars if you have them; we will also have pairs to lend out if you don't! This one's a bit far for our LA pals, so we encourage car-pooling.

MEETUP DETAILS:

We'll meet at (34.2399040, -119.2610228), the entrance to the ponds, at 8 AM. If you can't find us on the day, please feel free to call or text Maggie at (203) 984-6690.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:

There are two nearby options for parking. One is extremely close and paid; one is just a bit further away (<1/4mi) and free.

• The paid parking, located at (34.239881, -119.262295), costs $1/hour or $10/day.
• The free parking is located at (34.242824404032326, -119.26067024715596) This free lot is referred to as Dolphin Parking Lot on google maps, but posted signs say Harbor Village Parking and Harbor Safe.

NOTE: neither parking lot has a crosswalk to the settling ponds, so exercise caution when crossing to the meetup spot!

ACCESSIBILITY:

The route we'll take around the ponds is a flat mix of dirt, gravel and sand. We'll walk about 2 miles total around the ponds, stopping very frequently to see as many birds as we can! There are no restrooms at the ponds but there are two at the nearby Surfer's Knoll parking lot. It’s a bit awkward to get there from the entrance of the ponds, requiring a walk along the road/bike lane, so please bear that in mind.

MORE INFO:

DM us on Instagram @fbc.la or email ZmVtaW5pc3RiaXJkY2x1YmxhIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20= with any questions!

Please read and review Feminist Bird Club's Code of Conduct prior to attending this event.

Also check out other Meetups in Ventura.